Terrelle Pryor to start season-opener Sunday

Terrelle Pryor has been named the Raiders starting quarterback for the season-opener on Sunday, according to two league sources. Coach Dennis Allen told both Pryor and Matt Flynn his decision Monday morning and said he wasn’t going to say whom he chose for competitive reasons.
Flynn was the starter throughout training camp but struggled in the third preseason game on Aug. 23, throwing two interceptions in six passes and fumbling once against the Bears. The Raiders were willing to coach around Flynn’s lack of a strong arm in exchange for his “game manager” skills but Flynn’s play and the Oakland fans’ boos that night obviously jarred them.
Pryor came in to loud cheers and led four scoring drives and then started the preseason finale last Thursday while Flynn rested a sore arm.
Pryor actually started the last game of the 2012 season for the Raiders for an injured Carson Palmer, but Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie then traded for Flynn from Seattle to be the starter.
This is the second straight year that Flynn lost his starting job before the season, as rookie Russell Wilson beat out the free-agent signee in Seattle. Flynn is guaranteed $6.5 million from the Raiders this season.
Pryor, late owner Al Davis’ last draft pick in 2011, has improved his throwing mechanics but won the job because of his play-making ability with his feet. He was 14-of-24 for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception this preseason, but ran the ball 11 times for 83 yards and a touchdown.
He’s a playmaker on a team in dire need of them, and Allen had said the starter will be the quarterback who is best able to move the team and score points. The offense scored 32 points on 14 drives with Pryor at quarterback, compared to 10 points on 13 drives with Flynn behind center.
Flynn returned to practice Monday after taking a week off to rest a sore arm. Flynn had tendinitis issues in Seattle, and offensive coordinator Greg Olson said “maybe his confidence got rattled” after he took five sacks in the second preseason game against the Saints.
The Raiders offensive line has been reeling a bit since left tackle Jared Veldheer went down with a torn triceps injury, and Pryor’s escapability helps cover up some mistakes.
Other than quarterback, Allen has declared winners in all of the other position battles. Marquette King beat out veteran Chris Kluwe for the punter job, Jeron Mastrud will start at tight end while Richard Gordon was cut, and Tracy Porter beat out first-round pick D.J. Hayden for a starting cornerback job.
On passing downs, Hayden will come in and play outside with Porter moving inside to cover the slot receiver.